KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that no arms license except issued by NADRA will be valid after August 31.“All arms licenses issued by the Ministry of Interior shall stand ceased with effect from September 1, 2011”, he said and advised the arms license holders to approach the nearest NADRA office for new license.He was talking to media after presiding over a high level meeting at National Crisis Management Cell here on Monday.Inspector General Sindh Police Wajid Durrani was also present on the occasion.He said strict action will be taken against holders of illegal weapons and fake licenses who may face jail terms for 7 to 14 years.The Interior Minister said that a large scale campaign will be launched for recovery of illegal arms after August 31.He announced cash rewards for giving information about illegal arms adding Rs 20,000 will be given for information about illegal Kalashnikovs and Rs 50,000 for information leading to recovery of LMG or Rocket launcher. Name of informer will be kept secret.He said a special cell headed by Deputy Inspector General Police is being set up to deal with ‘bhata’ mafia.
He said strict action will be taken against those who have had past criminal record without any discrimination.“It has also been decided that Karachi will be de-weaponized in phases”, the Minister added.He also appealed to the people to get information about their mobile phone SIM by dialing “668” so that it could not be misused.The meeting was attended among others by Home Minister Sindh Manzoor Hussain Wassan, IGP Wajid Durrani, Commander ISI Brig Shafiq, CCPO Karachi Saud Mirza and General Manager Sindh NADRA Zahid Ahmed. – APP
